Most likely you are aware of a recent explosion on an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico that caused both loss of life and a huge oil spill. We are asking people worldwide to participate in an InnoCentive Challenge to respond quickly with ideas to react to this very serious environmental disaster.
If you are not familiar with the InnoCentive-SAP relationship, here some background:
For a couple of years now, SAP has been sponsoring the SAP Innovation & Technology Pavilion, a global marketplace for prize-based open innovation. Open innovation can be broadly defined as the process by which an organization seeks ideas and expertise outside company walls.
In general, Challenges posted in the SAP Pavilion relate to SAP products and the SAP ecosystem, in this case, the Challenge is a humanitarian call to action, for those in a position to help solve such a Challenge as dealing with a huge oil spill.
Are you able to help? If your answer is yes or you'd simply like to find out more, please visit the SAP-InnoCentive Pavilion today!
In an InnoCentive press release from May 4th, 2010, InnoCentive CEO Dwayne Spradlin calls for action:
"Our connected planet needs to take a fresh approach to disaster response. All crisis situations are time-sensitive and we have the ability to quickly tap into our global Solver network to start looking for solutions immediately. It only takes one amazing idea to slow the Gulf oil leak or minimize its impact.
InnoCentive is currently working through official channels to route the most promising solution submissions to the correct authorities. Authorized officials from BP or any of the government agencies engaged in this situation are encouraged to contact InnoCentive immediately to facilitate the solution process.
Innovative thinkers interested in helping to solve the Gulf oil spill crisis should register and submit ideas at https://sap.innocentive.com/ar/challengePavilion?pavilionName=SAP&campaign=SAP."
Read Dwayne's blog on the topic here: http://blog.innocentive.com/.
Wondering if participating in this Challenge is worth your time? Here some proof that InnoCentive Challenges have created tangible solutions in the past:
"In 2007 the Oil Spill Recovery Institute (OSRI) posted an InnoCentive Challenge and awarded a prize for finding an oil cleanup process to remove frozen oil from the bottom of Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. After 20 years of trying to solve this problem, OSRI the winning solution came from an individual with no involvement with oil and gas industry. This story illustrates the power of diversity and the effectiveness of looking for answers from individuals that are not industry experts".
Note: This is not a competition. This is an urgent call to action to help respond to a dangerous situation affecting the environment, wildlife, and human health of the world. This is a humanitarian effort; no prize money will be paid for solving this Challenge.
Visit the SAP Pavilion on InnoCentive now to become part of the solution: https://sap.innocentive.com/ar/challengePavilion?pavilionName=SAP&campaign=SAP.
